Why Donate?

Human breast milk has been shown in clinical research studies to help babies resist infections and decrease the incidence of serious diseases, such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), sepsis, bacterial meningitis and ear infections. It contains many components that help protect babies from infection and disease including: proteins (Secretory IgA, lactoferrin and lysosyme) and carbohydrates (oligosaccharides). Human milk also contains nutrients such as lipids, vitamins and trace minerals that support the developing immune system.1 The antibodies found in breast milk, as well as other human protective molecules are not present in other forms of milk, such as cow milk-based human milk fortifier or preterm infant formula (premature formula).

The American Academy of Pediatrics has recognized that breast milk alone does not meet the increased nutritional needs of premature infants.2 When babies are born too soon, their doctors add a human milk fortifier (HMF) to mother’s breast milk. Until recently, HMF (also commonly called human milk fortifier) have been cow milk-based products. Prolacta is the first and only company to offer a human milk-based human milk fortifier made from 100% human milk—Prolact+ H2MF® human milk fortifier. Hospital’s purchase Prolact+ H2MF® human milk fortifier, which is made from donated breast milk. It is pasteurized, concentrated, fortified with minerals, and manufactured under strict quality-control processes to ensure consistent quality, nutrient content, and safe use.

A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics demonstrated that Prolact+ H2MF® (when combined with human milk) reduced the odds of developing NEC by 77% in premature infants weighing between 500 – 1250g at birth, when compared to those infants fed human milk fortified with cow’s milk-based human milk fortifier or premature infant formula.3

A mother’s breast milk donation is the only way a critically ill, premature infant can receive a purely human milk-based fortified diet.